After a long absence, the wolverine, a rare scavenger in Labrador, is showing signs of a potential comeback. The species is endangered in eastern Canada, with the last confirmed sighting in Labrador dating back to the 1960s. Recent tracks near Nain have sparked excitement, suggesting the elusive animal may have returned to the region.
Shelley Moores, the Wildlife Division director in the Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, mentioned that they have been documenting recent wolverine sightings. She shared that their team spotted a wolverine last winter during caribou surveys in western Labrador and captured images during the survey work, which will be made public in the future.
In the early 2000s, a wolverine survey in northern and central Labrador yielded no sightings, leading to uncertainty about the next steps. Moores expressed optimism about the recent tracks near Nain, hinting that the wolverine spotted last year during the caribou survey might not be alone, indicating a positive development.
Jim Goudie, the Nunatsiavut Government’s deputy minister of Land and Natural Resources, expressed caution regarding the tracks near Nain, refraining from definitive conclusions about the wolverine’s return. Nonetheless, he found the recent track images intriguing and mentioned that they are being analyzed to confirm if they belong to a wolverine. Goudie expressed a desire for the wolverine to return to its traditional habitat as a positive sign of environmental recovery.
Despite the lack of official wolverine sightings for years, Goudie noted receiving incidental reports annually, including one from the Postville area about three years ago. He highlighted other sightings across central, west, and northern Labrador, suggesting a potentially positive trend. Goudie emphasized the vast migration pattern of wolverines, indicating that multiple sightings could be attributed to a single animal.
Overall, there is cautious optimism about the possible return of the wolverine to Labrador, with ongoing efforts to monitor and confirm sightings. The government encourages the public to report any wolverine sightings to aid in conservation efforts.